Really? They are dumping our fake Monopoly fiat currency and going with an asset-based currency. They have tons of natural resources. I think they'll do well.
Strategic gain. (Deep warm water port, secure Crimea and EE zone, etc.) They’ve screwed the pooch on that one too. Could have had that 1st one and probably an air base or two on Crimea by making Ukraine a $$ or euro and security offer it couldn’t refuse, a LOT cheaper than what they’ve spent on this war already.
That's been an issue with them for years. I don't think it's as pertinent today as it was in the early 20th Century.
Cultural fear. Like a lot of posters on FR, but much more wide ranging. Not entirely irrational, on Russian leadership’s part, as losing the way out there “we’ll just publicly kill our fellow gangsters if they get too bothersome” bit might not go over well if an actual semi-civilized political structure spread to Russia. It’s pitiful, really.
Sorry buddy, I don't have a dog in this fight, hate to burst your bubble. I don't give a feces about Russia except I believe that they have a natural right to protect themselves from encroachment from NATO since 1978 and the US sending weapons to their neighbor. What if China sent military equipment and cash to Mexico so Mexico can seize the Southwest again?
“I don’t give a feces about Russia except I believe that they have a natural right to protect themselves from encroachment from NATO”
When has NATO attacked russia?
That argument is utter BS
russia is the evil aggressor in Ukraine, not NATO